Felonies
A felony is the most serious type of crime you can be charged with, at either the California state level or in federal court. A felony, by definition, is a criminal charge that can result in a sentence of a year or longer in a state or federal prison. Of course, many felony convictions can result in far longer sentences, even decades behind bars. Under California’s infamous “three strikes” law, a person with a third felony charge can face 25 years to life in prison, so long as the third felony is considered violent and serious. Add to these high stakes that, even after prison, a convicted felon faces a long, hard road to recovery as felons have limited rights in the U.S. and face very difficult obstacles to employment.
If you are facing a felony charge – or believe you are under investigation for a felony crime – it is thus extremely important that you take the steps necessary to defend your freedom both now and for years into the future.
Representing Defendants in all California and Federal Felony Charges
Our criminal defense attorneys have successfully represented men and women from all backgrounds and walks of life in state and federal criminal charges and/or investigations, and we can aggressively defend your interests in the following types of felony matters:
- Assaults
- Sexual assaults and rape
- Drug cultivation and distribution
- Conspiracy
- Murder, attempted murder, and manslaughter
- Arson
- Robbery
- Burglary
- Grand theft
- Kidnapping
- Gang-related crimes
- Carjacking
- Extortion
- White collar crimes
Negotiating Your Felony Down to a Misdemeanor
We will explore all strategies in working towards the best possible outcome in your criminal matter. Of course, we will always pursue complete vindication through dropped charges or a not guilty verdict where possible, but, in other cases, the best strategy may be to negotiate a felony charge down to a misdemeanor, which can carry significantly less prison time and fewer ongoing consequences.
Thus, even if you believe that law enforcement has collected compelling evidence against you to secure a conviction, by working with our experienced criminal defense team, you still may be able to achieve a far more positive outcome for you and your family than simply going it alone or working with a public defender.
Do Not Give Up Your Rights in any Felony Investigation and/or Arrest
It is important to understand that our U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights gives you significant protections against law enforcement in criminal investigations and prosecutions – whether you committed the underlying acts or not – and should never give up your rights without consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, you have the right to refuse to speak with any member of law enforcement, and you have the right to have an attorney present during all questioning, whether you have been placed under arrest or not, and regardless of whether you have been read your rights. Thus, you can avoid incriminating yourself by refusing to answer law enforcement questions and requesting to have your attorney present at any point in an investigation.
Defending Your Rights in Your California Felony Case
If you have been placed under arrest or believe you are under investigation for a felony crime in California, it is important to work with criminal defense attorneys who will fight for your rights. At the Law Offices of Omar Gastelum and Associates, APLC, our experienced criminal defense attorneys will work with you from the very start to reach a positive outcome: a dropped investigation, a dismissal of charges, a not guilty verdict, a reduced sentence, or an alternative treatment program. Contact the Law Offices of Omar Gastelum and Associates, APLC today to get your best defense now.